Photoprinting apparatus



March 2, 1948. M "B, MEARS 2,437,229

PHOTO -PRINTING APPARATUS jy Y ori Mrch 2, 194s. N B MEARS f 2,437,229

PHOTO-PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 5, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J# 3 jjj. .5

Patented Mar. 2, 1 948 UNETED STATES PATENT @ft-'FICE PHOTOPRINTING APPARATUS Norman B. Mears, West St. Paul, Minn., assignor to Buckbee-Mears Company, St. Paul, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Application November 5, 1945, Serial No. 626,737

4 Claims. 1

This invention relates particularly, although not exclusively, to photo-printing on convex, concave or other noir-planar surfaces and to apparatus for insuring accuracy and uniformity in the reproductions from translucent ilrns or negatives on non-planar surfaces of preformed substantially rigid backing materials.

Heretofore photo-printing with a high degree of accuracy and uniformity on non-planar, rigid surfaces has involved unnecessary hand work and the products have been relatively expensive because of the dilculties attendant upon holding the negatives in proper position relative to the blanks and of applying the pressure required to avoid halaticn during the photo-printing exposure. Since the blanks are rigid and nonplanar in shape, ordinary vacuum printing frames cannot be used for this operation. According to the present invention the negative or positive film or plate, herein called the negative, and work blank are held in accurate registry and in firm contact one with the other in a holder and during exposure uid pressure is applied directly to the exposed face of the negative while air is forced out or it withdrawn from between the negative and work surface. The negative is suiciently exible and is so shaped as to' conform exactly to the non-planar, light-sensitive surface of the blank under the applied pressure.

It is an object of my invention to provide novel apparatus of this class adapted to facilitate the reproduction of various line line designs, scales and/or other markings in quantity on manufactured articles including precision parts of optical instruments, such as lenses and reticles, printing plates and many other products.

A particular object is to insure accurate and uniform location of sharply dened designs or markings on the several work blanks by providing apparatus for holding the several blanks in position for exposure to a source of light and in predetermined position relative to a flexible transparency or negative constituting a wall o an air chamber, the negative being formed to rit the light-sensitive surface of the blank, and including means for applying air pressure to the exposed surface of the negative during the photo-printing exposure to light.

A further object is to provide apparatus of this class with means for guarding against the accidental displacement of or damage to the negative by the application of air pressure to one face thereof in the absence of a support for the opposite face thereof in the blank holder.

Other objects will appear and be more fully pointed out in the following specilication and claims.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, which ill lustrate, by way of example and not for the purpose of limitation, a preferred form of my improved apparatus. In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevational View of the apparatus, with a portion of the light box broken away;

Fig. 2 is a part end elevational View and part vertical sectional View of the apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional View taken approximately on the line 3-3 oi Fig. l, portions of the latch mechanism being broken away to snow parts otherwise concealed;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary central angular section on a larger scale showing the pressure chamber and blank holder, with a lens blank partially withdrawn from the holder;

Fig. 5 is a detail view showing one of the latch members in elevation, and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section through the latch mechanism taken on the line (i-G of Fig. l.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral S dicates generally the light box of my apparatus containing a light source il oi suitable candlepower and having a sloping front panel l@ upon which my improved apparatus is mounted. This apparatus is shown as having a holder ring li adapted to receive a lens blank il? on which a .ii-nc line design l2@ (Fig. l.) or other marking is to be reproduced. A concave surface of the lens l has a coating S3 of light-sensitive enamel to ren ceive the marking or design. Where the design is to be etched into a glass lens or reticle, the concave or other non-planar face of the glass is rst silvered in known manner, by using the Rochelle salt method of precipitating silver, or any other suitable silvering process. silvered surface is then cleansed and buried and is photo-sensitized with a bichromated shellac of suitable type, such as commercial cold top enamel, to form the coating E3.

To hold such blanks i mount ring l i on outer ring lil and fasten the latter to front face of a cylindrical chamber wall This wall is fastened to the panel lil has nier end closure comprising a transparent plate lo held in place by a ring l? in registry with op l i8 formed in the panel if: for the passage of ligne from the source il to a chamber ita and sensitized blank beyond. interposed between the light source and chamber is a slidable shutter l having a handle lea which is accessible from the front face of the panel i An opening lh is 3 formed in the shutter I9 to register with the opening I8 when the shutter is in open position.

A lilm 20 of flexible, transparent material forms the front end closure of the air chamber and carries on its emulsion coated outer face a design IZa or other marking to be reproduced on the blanks I2. The periphery of the film Zi is clamped and sealed between the. ring Il and a flange 2| formed on the ring I4. The clamping pressure is applied to the ring Il'by a series of lugs 22 held in place by screws 23 threaded in the ring I4. Longer screws 23a (Fig. 1) hold the ring I4 in sealed relation to the wall I5 and radially extending screws 23h are threaded in the ring I4 to `engage the ring II for centering it accurately relative to the negative film 29, the periphery of the ring being spaced from the adjacent' cylindrical surface of the ring I6 to permit the required range of adjustment, as indicated in Fig. 4. The film 2E) is shaped to conform to the sensitized surface of the blank I2.

Air under pressure is supplied to the chamber I through a tube 24 under control of a valve 25 mounted on the panel IU and having a manually operable handle 28 adapted to be moved .from a closed position indicated in full lines in Figs. 1 3 to an open position indicated in broken lines in Fig. 1. The valve 2d is of the type'having an exhaust port which is opened to atmosphere to allow th-e escape of air from the tube 2d and chamber I5a when the valve is moved to closed position for cutting off the supply of air from the tube 2l. This apparatus has been operated successfully with air pressures equal to approximately 25 pounds per square inch.

Mechanism is provided for clamping the blanks I2 successively in the holder ring. This mechanism includes a disk 28 having a rubber facing for Contact with the blanks. The disk is mounted on an axially disposed spindle 29 having a handle 3D and threaded in an arm 3i. At one end, the arm 3| is pivoted on a screw 32 threaded in a supporting bracket 33 and its opposite end portion is adapted to oscillate between a position Where it is in contact with a stop pin all to another position where it is in contact with a stop 35. As best shown in Fig. 6, the stop 35 is formed with a notch to receive the arm 3i and hold it from springing away from the panel I0 when in clamping position with respect to the blank I2 in the holder ring I I.

Latch mechanism is provided to guard against the accidental displacement .or rupture of the nlm 2t by the application of pressure in the chamber ld in the absence of a supporting work blank I2 in the holder ring I I. This mechanism locks the valve 25 in closed postion when the clamp arm 3| is in the retracted position shown in full lines in Fig. 1 and locks the arm 3| in Worksecuring position (Fig. 2) when the valve is in open position. The latch mechanism has a rigid arm 35 pivotally connected to the panel Iii by a screw 31 and formed with a lug 38 normally held in the path of the arm il by a spring 36a to lock the arm 3| in clamping position. The opposite end portion 38 of the arm 33 is arranged to be actuated downward by a linger 39 projecting from the valve handle 25 to free the arm 3i. Another latch member comprises a plate it (Fig. 5) connected by a pivot screw lil to a supporting bracket I2 mounted on the panel iii. The plate di) is adapted to oscillate in a plane perpendicular to the panel ID and its movement .is .limited by means of a screw i3 tting loosely in an arcuate guide slot 3&3 in the plate. A lug 45 projects from the upper end of the plate t!) to be moved to and from the path of the linger 39, this plate being arranged so that it is moved by gravity to retract the lug d5 from the path of the finger 39. Projecting laterally from the lower end portion of the member 'i0 is a lug it adapted to be engaged by a ange 4'! formed on a latch member 133. A pivot screw 49 (Fig. 1) connects the member i3 to the panel Il) and a second screw 5i! engages this member in a guide slot El to limit its oscillating movement about the screw dii. `A ange 52 is formed on the member Q3 to project in the path of the free end of the arm 3i. As this arm is swung downward toward the stop pin 34 it strikes the ange 52 and actuates the member I8 so that the ange lll raises the lug lia and oscillates the member 43 to project the lug i5 into the path of the finger 39 on the valve handle 26. This locks the valve handle in closed position wherein the ow of air from tube 27 to the pressure chamber |511 is cut on" and this chamber is vented to atmosphere.

In operation, assuming that the several parts are in the positions indicated in full lines in Fig. l, the operator places one of the blanks Il. in the holder ring Ii with the light-sensitive coat I3 adjacent to the film 2e. The arm 3i carrying the clamping disk 23 is then rnoved to the clamping position shown in broken lines in Fig. 1 and in full lines in Fig. 2 and the handle Si! is turned sufficiently to press the blank I2 against its seat at the periphery of the nlm 23 supported by the ring 2i, while the arm 3| engages the stop pin 35 in the notch therein, as further indicated in broken lines in Fig. 1 and in full lines in Fig. 6. Upon movement ci" the arm 3| out of engagement with the ange 52 oi the latch member 5.8, the latterdrops to free the lug d@ on the plate 33 and allows plate @il to move by gravity to withdraw the lug i5 yfrom the path of the nger 33 carried by the valve handle 26. This unlocks the valve and the operator then moves the valve to its open position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. l., thereby admitting air under pressure to the chamber I5a through the tube 2l, valve 25 and tube 24. Such operation of the valve allows the arm 36 to oscillate to locked position relative to the arm 3l.

Pressure in the chamber Ia forces the film 2B into rm contact with the coated face of the blank I2 while all air escapes from between the film and blank at the periphery of the latter. Thereupon the operator actuates the shutter I9 to bring the aperture |313 therein to registry with the opening IB and thereby expose the film and work blank to light emanating from the source Il. Exposure is continued for the time required and then the shutter I@ is closed. To remove the blank I2 from the holder ring i I, it is necessary rst to move the valve handle 26 to closed position and thereby relieve the pressure in the chamber |511 by exhausting air therefrom through the valve. Movement of the valve to closed position actuates the right end portion of the arm 3B downward, as indicated in Fig. 1, and moves the lug 38 out of the path or" the arm 3|. Thereupon the clamping pressure on the blank I2 is relieved by a partial turn of thehandle 33 and the arm 3| is oscillated to the right and downward to the full line position shown in Fig. l. This permits the removal of the blank i2 from the ring I l. With the arm 3| and clamp disk 28 in the retracted position shown in full lines After removing the blank l2 from the holder the exposed face is developed in conventional manner to remove the remaining soluble portions of the coating i3 and leave the portions which have been rendered insoluble by exposure to the light. Where the blank has a silver coating underlying the light sensitive coating the exposed areas of the silver may be removed by the use of a suitable reagent, such as Farmers reducer, leaving the glass exposed over the areas which are to be etched. Suitable staging and masking operations are then performed, followed by etching of the design into the glass surface by exposure to the fumes of hydrofluoric acid or other etching agent. Subsequently the enamel, silver and other masking materials are removed and the etched lines are filled with a suitable pigment, such as one of the oxides, in a binder of sodium silicate, for example.

A high degree of accuracy both in the reproduction of the negative design and in the location of the reproduction on the blank is obtained by my arrangement for securely holding the negative in xed relation to the blank in the holder and for insuring perfect contact between the negative and coated face of the blank during exposure. of transparent plastic material having sufhcient elasticity to conform to the concave, convex or other non-planar shape of the sensitized blank surface. An acetate film having an emulsion coating of standard or suitable composition may be used and the image of the design to be reproduced may be photoprinted and developed on such plane, flat lm material by conventional procedure. Subsequently the film is shaped in dies to iit the sensitized surface of the Work blanks. Where ordinary thermo-plastic film material is used it usually requires heating to render it suiiiciently plastic in the forming dies. Upon cooling, the nlm 2G sets in the required shape. It is finally centered in the holder of my apparatus and clamped in place with the emulsion side disposed for contact with the blanks.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for photo-printing on a lightsensitized, non-planar surface of a blank comprising, a source of light, a holder for the blank, a manually operable backing member for securing the blank in said holder, said member being movable to an inoperative position to permit the removal of the blank, a chamber having a transparent Wall allowing the passage of light from said source to the coated surface of the blank in said holder, said wall being shaped to conform to said surface and carrying the image to be reproduced on the blank, means including a valve for supplying gas under pressure above atmospheric to said chamber to forcibly press said Wall against the non-planar surface of the blank and latch mechanism interposed between said valve and backing member adapted to retain said valve in closed position when the backing member is in inoperative position.

2. Apparatus for photo-printing on a nonplanar surface having a light-sensitive coating comprising, a source of light, a holder for the Work, a manually operable backing member for securing the Work in said holder, said member being movable to an inoperative position to permit the removal of the Work from the holder, a

The negative is a thin, flexible sheet chamber having a transparent wall allowing the passage of light from said source to the coated surface of the Work in said holder, said wall being flexible and shaped to conform to the coated surface of the Work and carrying the image to be reproduced on the Work, means including a valve for supplying gas under pressure above atmospheric to said chamber to cause said wall to make contact with the non-planar, coated surface of the Work during the photo-printing operation and latch mechanism interposed between valve and backing member adapted to retain said valve in closed position when the backing member is in inoperative position and to retain the backing member in Work-securing position when the valve is in open position.

3. Apparatus for photo-printing on a lightsensitized, non-planar surface of a blank comprising, a holder for the blank, a negative secured at its margins to the holder and forming a translucent Wall thereof, means for exposing the negative and blank to ac'tinic light, clamping means for securing the blank in said holder in contact with and in predetermined fixed relation to the negative therein, a valve, means under control of said valve for subjecting the outer surface of the negative to iiuid pressure above atmospheric and latch mechanism adapted to lock said valve in closed position when said clamping means is in inoperative position and to lock said clamping means in blank-securing position When said valve is in open position.

4. For photo-printing on similar precision blanks each having edge surfaces, a back face and an oppositeiy disposed, non-planar, sensitized front face, the improved apparatus which comprises a source of light, a housing containing said source of light, said housing having a translucent wall portion, an air chamber mounted on said housing exteriorly of the translucent Wall portion thereof and having a iiexible translucent wall disposed opposite to said wall portion and carrying an image to be reproduced on the several blanks, a holder for the successive blanks formed to fit and embrace the edge surfaces of the same and having an opening opposite said flexible transparent wall, a manually operable backing member adapted to engage the back surfaces of the several blanks and to press the front surfaces thereof in contact with said iiexible translucent wall, said backing member being movable to an inoperative position to permit the insertion and removal of the blanks through said opening in the holder, said fiexible translucent Wall being shaped to conform to the nonplanar, sensitized surfaces of the several blanks,

and means for supplying gas under pressure above atmospheric to said chamber during the photo-printing operation to forcibly press said flexible translucent Wall in contact with the nonplanar, sensitized surface of a blank in said holder and When the blank is confined therein by said backing member.

NORMAN B. MEARS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

'UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 844,162 Mertens Feb. 12, 1907 1,865,262 Koppe June 28, 1932 1,885,532 Mazzocco Nov. 1, 1932 2,073,313 Murray Mar. 9, 1937 

